Daily Archives: September 19, 2013

I have been receiving a bit of mail regarding visual therapy and what to do about visual challenges, so I thought I would address that topic here.

Waldorf Education, both in school and in homeschooling, is often known as “that method where the children learn to read late.” This is true in one sense, as we start academics directly in first grade the way many schools in Europe used to do, and the progression through the first few grades is slower than what we might be accustomed to in the United States in public school. In fact, it is true that many Waldorf teachers find children, especially boys, do not become fluent writers and readers until ages 9-11. Many of these children are active, healthy, normal children.

However, I want to look at this a little closer for homeschoolers. Noted Master Waldorf teacher Eugene Schwartz has stated in many of his lectures that two-thirds of a third grade Waldorf School classroom typically is reading at a third grade level. If this is true, then one must believe that there is progress in the first few grades toward reading. Progress toward reading includes movement with cross lateral integration (more about that in a minute), oral recitation with memory, writing and then reading is being made in first, second and third grade, if the parent is working with the child in a Waldorf way.

The corollary of this, is of course, that if this is true that the majority of children in third grade are reading at grade level, then we also know one-third of the class will not be reading at grade level by the end of third grade. In Waldorf homeschooling communities, we often hear of children who were not reading, not reading, and then suddenly around the age of 11 or 12 or so the child can suddenly read everything and anything.

So the challenge for the homeschooling parent often becomes one of – is this just a normal pace of development for this particular child and I just need to leave it alone or – is there something going on that needs to be addressed earlier?

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The Parenting Passageway

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A passageway, as one would guess, is a conduit to the next thing: a way to allow movement from one place, condition or stage to the next. This blog is entitled “The Parenting Passageway” as it is intended to help support and encourage parents in peaceful parenting for our hectic world. Thank you for reading and many blessings to you

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